First Christian Church in Madisonville recently launched a new program designed to support senior adults who are living with dementia or experiencing the effects of aging.
Rev. Kara Foster, the senior minister of the church, was the guest speaker at the Princeton Rotary Club’s meeting last week. She explained that Friends Place Respite Care is a bi-weekly day program that was launched in November at the Madisonville church. She said it’s designed for individuals living with mild to moderate dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, or age-related challenges.
According to Rev. Foster, individuals diagnosed with dementia often face the immediate loss of three crucial things: their freedom, their ability to communicate with others and their independence. She noted that the projected increase in the number of people with dementia is staggering, with expectations that it will double every 20 years.
click to download audioShe mentioned that the program also supports caregivers of individuals experiencing memory loss.
click to download audioRev. Foster stated that they are affiliated with a national network known as Respite for All.
click to download audioFriends Place Respite Care in Madisonville operates twice a week, with a daily fee.
She added that Friends Place depends on volunteers for support.
click to download audioRev. Foster described it as a social program.
click to download audioShe further stated that Friends Place is unique because it focuses on replenishing an individual’s spiritual well-being.
click to download audioShe mentioned that the Friends Place Respite Care program in Madisonville currently has about six participants enrolled and can accommodate up to fifteen individuals.
For more details about the program, visit the First Christian Church in Madisonville’s website.
